A birthday for one girl, gifts for many dogs

Allison Lutz, 10, walks through the kennel where dogs waiting to be adopted are kept at the Ross County Humane Society on Wednesday. Allison was asking for donations to the shelter in lieu of birthday gifts for her 10th birthday this year.(Photo: Elise Manahan/Gazette, Elise Manahan/Gazette)Buy Photo

CHILLICOTHE – When it comes to birthdays, most kids wait all year to rip into presents, share cake with their friends and make wishes.

Ten-year-old Allison Lutz isn't like most kids.

"I just love dogs," Allison said. "I see pictures of them, and they just look so sad and miserable, so I just want to help them."

Allison, who turned 10 Wednesday and volunteers regularly at the Ross County Humane Society shelter, asked for people to donate to the society in lieu of getting any gifts for her. So far, the society has received $900 in donations through the campaign that put the word out online, in addition to bags of dog food, toys, leashes and other dog supplies.

"It's amazing because that's what we need," said Brittany Hardesty, manager for the humane society. "We need our younger generation to be involved with the Humane Society."

Allison, a fourth-grade student at Allen Elementary School, said she is thinking about becoming a dog warden when she grows up because dogs are her favorite animal.

"They don't have many toys out here," Allison said about the Humane Society. "Sometimes they can't pay for food, so I decided that my birthday was coming up so maybe I can get stuff for the dogs instead of presents."

Some donated without even knowing Allison.

"We follow the Humane Society on Facebook and saw that she didn't want presents," said Mari Ledbetter, of Chillicothe. "She's a very special girl."

Ledbetter and her husband, Russ, donated money to the Humane Society in Allison's name and gave her a card with money to keep.

Allison said some of the best donations she has received were squeaky toys, fleece sheets and a toy shaped like a hedgehog.

"We have a few dogs who go crazy being cooped up in their kennels all day," Hardesty said. "So the toys will be especially helpful."

Allison's mother, Erin Lutz, said she is proud of her daughter, who said she also wants to donate for her 11th birthday next year.

"She's got a good heart and is very energetic and empathetic," Lutz said. "There are not a lot of kids who are going to give up their birthdays for something like this."

Hardesty said the humane society is beyond capacity in its ability to house dogs. People interested in volunteering or adopting a pet can call 740-775-6808.